GOSPEL POWER l JUNE 27, 2022 - 13th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church

Gospel: Mt 8:18-22 

18When Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 

At the time of Jesus, teachers were chosen by their would be disciples. But Jesus was unique because he called his own. His sole criterion was the heavenly Father’s choice, for no one could come to him unless drawn by the Father (cf. Jn 6:44). In today’s Gospel, a scribe volunteers to be Jesus’ disciple. The response of Jesus is neither encouragement nor outright rejection, but a subtle invitation to examine his own heart and discover his real motivation. Being a disciple of Jesus is a commitment that offers no worldly securities. Jesus is driven by passion for the heavenly Father’s will; everything else in life is subordinated to that. No one can be associated with Jesus’ mission unless the person shares that passion and is willing to leave all other concerns behind. One cannot establish a genuine commitment on mere fascination with discipleship and infatuation with mission.

Lord Jesus, ignite our hearts with your consuming passion for the Father’s will. Amen.